Patrice Motsepe, president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), has announced his decision to step down from his role. The announcement was made during a press conference on July 24, 2026, in which he also revealed a major expansion of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) tournament.
Starting from the 2027 edition, the Africa Cup of Nations will be expanded from 24 to 28 teams. This change aims to increase representation and competitiveness across the continent, allowing more nations to participate in Africa's premier football competition.
Motsepe, who has led CAF since 2021, did not provide a specific date for his departure but confirmed it would occur before the end of his current term. His tenure has been marked by efforts to modernize African football and secure increased sponsorship deals.
The decision to expand the CAN has been met with mixed reactions. Supporters argue it will grow the sport's popularity in emerging football nations, while critics raise concerns about the tournament's logistics and potential dilution of quality.
